Hole drilling apparatus with dirt receiving and storing means

ABSTRACT

A device for digging holes in the ground and for receiving and storing the dirt removed from the holes. An auger is rotatably mounted to a frame and is drivable downwardly into the ground. A bin is pivotally mounted to the frame and is positioned adjacent a dirt receiving holder surrounding the auger. Means are provided for conveying the dirt from the holder to the bin. Means are also provided for emptying the dirt from the bin. Branch cutting means are mounted to the frame for cutting branches with the cuttings then falling into the bin. Driving means are mounted to the frame for the horizontal movement of the apparatus across the ground.

nited States Patent 1191 King Sept. 17, 1974 [54] HOLE DRILLING APPARATUS WITH DIRT 3,685,596 8/1972 Collins 175 161 x RECEIVING AND STORING MEANS 3,747,697 7/l973 Russell v 175/88 3,791,464 2/1974 Stewart 175/88 [76] Inventor: Junior Keith King, RR. 1, Box

106A Russlavme 46979 Primary ExaminerDavid Brown 22 Filed; Aug 20 1973 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Woodard, Weikart,

Emhardt & Naughton [21] App]. No.: 389,864

[57] ABSTRACT [52] 1.1.8. C1 175/88, 175/161, 175/315, A device for digging holes in the ground and for 173/22 173/46 ceiving and storing the dirt removed from the holes. [51] hit. C1 E211) 3/02, E211) 41/00 An auger is rotatably mounted to a frame and is i [58] Field Of Search 175/88, 161, 162, 203, able downwardly i the ground A bin is pivotally 175515 173/46 mounted to the frame and is positioned adjacent a dirt receiving holder surrounding the auger. Means are [56] References Cted provided for conveying the dirt from the holder to the UNITED STATES PATENTS bin. Means are also provided for emptying the dirt 1,191,992 7/1916 Peters 175/88 m th Branch cutting means a mounted to 2,001,502 5/1935 Satre 175/88 the frame for cutting branches with the cuttings then 2,939,682 6/ Kromberg /26 falling into the bin. Driving means are mounted to the 3,190,375 6965 Pearson- 175/88 frame for the horizontal movement of the apparatus 3,307,643 3/1967 Ferri... l75/l6l across the ground 3,495,667 2/l970 Cales l75/16l 3,556,232 1/l97l Koziski l75/88 7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PMENIEnsl-Tmm 3.5%341 sum 5 or s HOLE DRILLING APPARATUS WITH DIRT RECEIVING AND STORING MEANS BACKGROUND OF, THE INVENTION been granted for treating the soil in various ways such as by churning the top surface of the soil. The patents which I am aware of in this particular field are the following:

2,756,001 issued to L. N. Kemp; 2,776,633 issued to M. D. Bible; 3,022,839 issued to H. J. Troche; 3,128,729 issued to J. A. Henson; 3,252,523 issued to J. E. Kachnik et al; 3,344,875 issued to R. E. Briner; and 3,422,9 l3 issued to W. 0. Young, Jr. The apparatus disclosed herein is particularly advantageous as compared to the prior art devices in that the dirt removed from the hole by the auger is conveyed away from the auger and stored in a bin. In addition, the ap paratus disclosed herein is of a convenient size to allow a single operator to utilize the apparatus. Means are provided for removing the dirt stored in the apparatus with the result that dirt falling from the auger onto the ground surrounding the hole is minimized. Other advantages will be apparent from the description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for drilling holes in the ground comprising a frame with wheels thereon, motor means connected to at least one of the wheels for propelling the frame horizontally across the ground, a dirt receiving bin movably mounted on the frame, first means mounted on the frame and connected to the bin operable to move the bin to dump dirt therefrom, an auger movably mounted to the frame, drive means mounted on the frame and connected to the auger being operable to rotate the auger, second means mounted on the frame and connected to the auger to move the auger along an axis into the ground to dig a hole as the auger is rotated by the drive means, and a dirt holder movably mounted on the frame and surrounding and extending along the axis to receive dirt conveyed upwardly by the auger as the auger drills into the ground.'

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved earth drilling device.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an earth drilling device which conveys the dirt away from the hole into a storage bin.

Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side view of an apparatus in- FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side view of the auger and its driving means shown in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in thedrawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown an apparatus 10 for drilling holes in the ground. Apparatus 10 includes a frame 11 with a pair of rear wheels 12 rotatably mounted thereon. A single front wheel 13 is rotatably mounted to the steering frame 14 pivotally mounted to frame 11 by fastening device 15. An engine 16 such as an internal combustion engine or a diesel engine is fixedly mounted to steering frame 14 and has an output shaft 17 in meshing engagement with an endless chain 18 also in meshing engagement with gear 19 mounted to the axle of wheel 13. Engine 16 is utilized to propel frame 11 horizontally across the ground by rotating and driving wheel 13.

A dirt receiving bin 20 is pivotally mounted by fastener 21 at the rear end of frame 11. A hydraulic cylinder motor 22 is pivotally mounted at location 23 to flange 24 fixedly mounted to and depending from frame 1 l. The extendable and retractable piston rod 25 (FIG. 4) of cylinder motor 22 is connected to bin 20 by bracket 26. Thus, by extending piston rod 25, bin 20 is caused to pivot in the direction of arrow 27. In order to dump the dirt within bin 20, rod 25 is extended thereby allowing the dirt within the bin to pass through the back wall 28 of the bin. Wall 28 may be pivotally mounted to the bin to allow the dirt to escape therefrom. Alternatively, back wall 28 may be provided with a cut out portion through which the dirt may pass as the bin is pivoted. In this latter example, auger mechanism 29 is first moved away from the bin to allow the dirt to pass through wall 28. Bin 20 is enclosed on the remaining sides and end with the exception that the top of the bin is open to allow dirt to pass therein.

A pair of arms 30 (FIG. 5) are pivotally connected by fasteners 31 (FIG. 3) to bin 20. Each arm 30 extends along the opposite side of bin 20. Arms 30 extend rearwardly having a cylindrical container 32 fixedly mounted thereon. A pair of hydraulic cylinder motors are mounted to bin 20 and are connected to arms 30 to allow the cylindrical holder 32 to be pivoted from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 3 thereby allowing the dirt to pass through the rear wall of bin 20. For example, cylinder motor 33 is pivotally mounted by fastener 34 to bin 20 and has an extendable piston rod 35 connected by fastener 36 to arm 30. An identical cylinder motor is mounted on the side of bin 20 opposite to the side shown in FIG. 1 and V is connected to an arm 30 in an identical manner. Thus, by extending rods 35, the bin is caused to pivot in the direction of arrow 37 such as shown in FIG. 3. By retracting piston rods 35 the holder is caused to pivot back against the bin.

The auger mechanism includes auger 38 (FIG. 6) rotatably mounted within cylindrical holder 32. The axis of rotation 39 of the auger extends centrally through holder 32. Drive means 40 is mounted to the apparatus and connected to the auger being operable to rotate the auger as it is moved downwardly into the ground by a pair of cylinder motors 41 and 42 (FIG. 5).

Cylinder motor 41 will now be described it being understood that an identical description applies to cylinder motor 42. Cylinder motor 41 includes a casing 43 mounted adjacent holder 32. Piston rod 44 extends out of the top end of casing 43 and is movable vertically through the application of pressure via fittings 45 and 46 which allow fluid pressure to extend therethrough from conduits 46' and 47 so as to be applied to the opposite sides of a piston mounted to rod 44 within casing 43. Beam 48 is connected to the top end of rod 44 and to the top end of the rod extending from cylinder motor 42. Thus, by applying and controlling the pressure to cylinder motors 41 and 42, bar 48 is caused to move either upwardly or downwardly. Auger 38 is fixedly mounted to axle 49 rotatably mounted to bar 48. Thus, the auger is caused to move vertically with respect to housing 32 whenever bar 48 is caused to move vertically. Holder 32 surrounds and extends along axis 39 of the auger to receive the dirt conveyed upwardly by the auger as the auger is rotated and drilled downwardly into the ground.

Wheel 50 is fixedly mounted to axle 49 and is engaged with an endless band 51 which in turn is engaged with wheel 52 fixedly mounted to axle 53. Many variations are contemplated and included for driving the auger. For example, wheels 50 and 52 may be provided with teeth to engage band 51 which may be a chain. Likewise, wheels 50 and 52 may be pulley wheels to engage band 51 which may be an endless belt. Axle 53 is rotatably mounted between arms 30 and is provided with a pulley wheel 54 mounted thereto which engages belt 55' in turn engaging pulley wheel 55 mounted to axle 56 of driver 57. Driver 57 may be an engine, a fluid motor or other such driving means.

By activating driver 57, auger 38 is caused to rotate while simultaneously the auger is forced downwardly into the ground by cylinder motors 41 and 42. The dirt is therefore conveyed upwardly along the flight of the auger being contained within holder 32. Eventually holder 32 will become filled with dirt. Conveying means 60 is provided to move the dirt from holder 32 into bin 20. Conveying means 60 includes a continuous band 61 having a plurality of depending walls 62 mounted thereon. Band 61 is mounted to and extends between rotatably mounted wheels 63 and 64. Wheel 63 is mounted to axle 65 whereas wheel 64 is mounted to axle 66. Axle 66 has a second wheel 67 mounted thereto which is engaged with band 68 which in turn is engaged with wheel 69 fixedly mounted to axle 53. Thus, rotation of axle 53 causes axle 66 to move via band 68 thereby rotating wheels 67 and 64 and causing depending walls 62 to move in a continuous path from the bin into the holder and back from the holder to the bin. Thus, whenever holder 32 is filled with dirt, walls 62 will push the top level of the dirt into the bin.

A cutting apparatus 70 (FIG. 1) is mounted by suitable bracketry 71 to the apparatus. A funnel 72 is pro- 65 axle 92 having wheel 91 thereon which is driven by band engaged with a rotatable output shaft of engine 16. The branches are therefore cut and exit into bin 20. Suitable controls 74 are provided to control the horizontal movement of the apparatus by controlling engine 16. In addition, the controls allow for the fluid to be directed to the appropriate power cylinders for tilting the bin 20, holder 32 and for moving the auger upwardly and downwardly. Likewise, controls are provided for the rotation of the auger by driver 40.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

The invention claimed is:

1. An apparatus for drilling holes in the ground comprising:

a frame with wheels thereon;

motor means connected to at least one of said wheels for propelling said frame horizontally across the ground; a dirt receiving bin movably mounted on said frame;

first means mounted on said frame and connected to said bin operable to move said bin to dump dirt therefrom;

an auger movably mounted to said frame;

drive means mounted on said frame and connected to said auger being operable to rotate said auger;

second means mounted on said frame and connected to said auger to move said auger along an axis into the ground to dig a hole as said auger is rotated by said drive means; and,

a dirt holder movably mounted on said frame and surrounding and extending along said axis to receive dirt conveyed upwardly by said auger as said auger drills into the ground.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising:

conveying means mounted on said frame above said bin and connected to said auger being operable to move dirt from said holder into said bin.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 and further comprising:

third means mounted on said frame and connected to said holder operable to move said holder to and from said bin.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein:

said motor means is an engine; and,

said first means, said second means and said third means include power cylinders.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 and further comprising:

branch cutting means mounted to said frame and connected to said motor means and being operable to cut branches for cutting to fall into said bin.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein:

said bin is pivotally mounted to said frame and said holder is pivotally mounted to said bin.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein:

said conveying means includes a driven endless band engaged with said auger and further includes a plurality of walls dependingly mounted to said band. 

1. An apparatus for drilling holes in the ground comprising: a frame with wheels thereon; motor means connected to at least one of said wheels for propelling said frame horizontally across the ground; a dirt receiving bin movably mounted on said frame; first means mounted on said frame and connected to said bin operable to move said bin to dump dirt therefrom; an auger movably mounted to said frame; drive means mounted on said frame and connected to said auger being operable to rotate said auger; second means mounted on said frame and connected to said auger to move said auger along an axis into the ground to dig a hole as said auger is rotated by said drive means; and, a dirt holder movably mounted on said frame and surrounding and extending along said axis to receive dirt conveyed upwardly by said auger as said auger drills into the ground.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising: conveying means mounted on said frame above said bin and connected to said auger being operable to move dirt from said holder into said bin.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 and further comprising: third means mounted on said frame and connected to said holder operable to move said holder to and from said bin.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: said motor means is an engine; and, said first means, said second means and said third means include power cylinders.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 and further comprising: branch cutting means mounted to said frame and connected to said motor means and being operable to cut branches for cutting to fall into said bin.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein: said bin is pivotally mounted to said frame and said holder is pivotally mounted to said bin.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein: said conveying means includes a driven endless band engaged with said auger and further includes a plurality of walls dependingly mounted to said band. 